The Queen’s speech was heartfelt. Shespoke at length about her parents and then began detailing theefforts of all those who died supporting her during Duke Tremont’sattempted coup, naming each of them. She then spent an exceptionalamount of time on the man she at one point called, ‘the greatesthero of Lothion’. She held the attention of the crowd and ended ona high note, announcing the formation of the Order of the Thorn inDorian’s honor.
Several others took the podium afterher, including Elise Thornbear, Sir Harold, and Sir Egan, each inturn. Lady Rose was invited, but as Dorian’s widow, it wasn’tnecessarily expected that she would be willing to put herselfbefore the crowd.
I had not been invited to speak. Peterhad warned me privately about it already. The prevailing opinionwas that having the ‘Blood Lord’ speak might tarnish the occasionor otherwise taint Dorian Thornbear’s memory.
I wish I could say that that didn’tbother me, but it did. It burned. Dorian and Marcus had been my twoclosest friends, and while I had never had the opportunity to speakon Marc’s behalf, to be deliberately denied the chance to speak forDorian…
I had swallowed my pride, though. Inone of the pouches at my belt, I held the product of my labors overthe past half a year. It was intended to be a gift to the Queen,and today had seemed the best time for it, but now I would have towait and present it to her in private.
“Can’t have me ruining the day,” Imurmured softly.
Penny picked up my words and squeezedmy hand in a gesture of support, her black gloved fingers entwinedwith my own. I had forgotten how sharp her hearing was. I let myeyes linger on her for a moment, enjoying the sight of her in herrebellious black and red leathers. We had dressed ourselves in thesame clothes we had worn for my court case. It was better thandisappointing the crowd.
Surprisingly, Rose walked forward whenher time came, taking her place behind the podium. Her dress was awidow’s black, for she still had a short time before her year’smourning would be over.
“I am here today, to speak on behalfof my father, Duncan Hightower, and my husband, Dorian Thornbear,”said Rose solemnly. She gave a short eulogy for the two men who hadbeen so important to her, but as she neared the end her voicechoked while she tried to explain what Dorian had meant to her.Ariadne approached her sympathetically, hoping to help her retirefrom the podium gracefully, but Rose waved her away.
Clearing her throat she raised herhead once more. Even the veil she wore couldn’t hide her red eyesand tear stained cheeks. “I can’t finish, but there is one man herewho loved my husband as much as I did,” said Rose huskily. Lookingto the Queen, she lowered her eyes, “If you will allow it, YourMajesty, I would ask Mordecai Illeniel, the Count di’ Cameron tofinish for Dorian. I believe he would have wanted that.”
A hush fell over the audience and thenmurmurs broke out, softly, as people wondered how the Queen wouldrespond. Many of their eyes turned to gaze at me, and just as manywatched Ariadne, waiting for her reply. I knew how she would answerthough, she had been cornered.
With perfect poise, Ariadne tookRose’s hand and put one arm around her shoulder. “I’m certain thatwill be fine, Lady Hightower.” Leading Rose gently away, she caughtme with her eyes, “Lord Cameron, if you would be so kind.” Hervoice was just loud enough to reach me.
Glancing at my wife, I moved forwardto the podium, thinking to go alone. Penny stayed beside mehowever, close, almost protectively. Whether it was a gesture ofsupport in the face of so many unfriendly faces, or whether shefelt I might actually need physical protection I wasn’t certain.She had braided her hair again, including the metal cords andsilver end caps, so I knew she wasn’t unarmed in the strictestsense.
I didn’t really need protecting, but Ifelt stronger with her nearby. Looking at the assembled noblemen,and the crowd of citizens beyond them, I saw a few friends, andmany more who wore openly hostile expressions. It was clear that Iwas no longer welcome in Albamarl.
“I know that many of you may feel I amunworthy to speak for Dorian Thornbear, but I will speak anyway,for he was my closest friend. I trust you will not hold ourassociation against him, or against James and Genevieve Lancaster,who were also close to me. Others have spoken for them, so I wouldlike to offer you my opinions on Dorian alone.”
“Dorian taught me the meaning ofloyalty, and the meaning of trust. Many will remember him for hismartial prowess, and it is true, he was without peer on the fieldof battle, but his skill with a sword was the least of Dorian’sattributes. He was a man of honor, but it did not define him asmuch as his willingness to sacrifice for the sake of others. Henever shirked his duty, but it was his kindness that marked him asa great man,” I paused to let my words sink in.
“But he was not perfect,” I continued.“His honesty was so ingrained that it was not only a virtue, but asource of occasional awkwardness. The man was simply incapable oflying, even for something as small as a fib for the sake of socialgraces. I, and our mutual friend, Marcus Lancaster, spent many aday in our youth trying to correct this ‘flaw’, but he never hadthe knack for it.”
“In the end, we accepted him as hewas, and over time we learned to respect our friend for his innerstrength. He walked a hard road, but he never complained. In theend, he did the same as his father did; he gave everything he hadto protect his friends and family. He gave until there was nothingleft. He gave until he died.” My vision had blurred, but my voicestayed strong.
“I cry today for the
